1
2
a
: to have a preference for
choose one car over another
b
: decide
chose to go by train
1
: to make a selection
finding it hard to choose
2
: to take an alternative
—used after cannot and usually followed by but
when earth is so kind, men cannot choose but be happy—
J. A. Froude
J. A. FroudeExamples of choose in a Sentence
Each year thousands of college students choose volunteer-service trips over beach bumming during their spring breaks and summer vacations.
—Edward M. Kennedy, Time, 22 Sept. 2008
I had been invited to choose certain things that I might want from the house, but although there were indeed a couple of things that I would have liked, I was withheld from making the trip …
—Alice Adams, "Why I Write,"
in The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987
… as an instructor at New York University he chose to live by himself in lodgings that for the time must have been very expensive …
—William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other Writings, (1953) 1982
Any summary I might try to write for the rest of the novel would be worthless and I don't choose to waste my time at it.
—Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being, 1979
The political party chose a leader.
They chose her as the team captain.
We've chosen a different time to go.
He was chosen because he's qualified for the job.
She was chosen from a long list of people.
He chose his words carefully.
Which shirt would you choose?
How do I choose when there's so much available?
Let everyone choose for themselves.
You can choose from among a number of alternatives.
Edward M. Kennedy, Time, 22 Sept. 2008
I had been invited to choose certain things that I might want from the house, but although there were indeed a couple of things that I would have liked, I was withheld from making the trip …
—Alice Adams, "Why I Write,"
in The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987
… as an instructor at New York University he chose to live by himself in lodgings that for the time must have been very expensive …
—William Styron, This Quiet Dust and Other Writings, (1953) 1982
Any summary I might try to write for the rest of the novel would be worthless and I don't choose to waste my time at it.
—Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being, 1979
The political party chose a leader.
They chose her as the team captain.
We've chosen a different time to go.
He was chosen because he's qualified for the job.
She was chosen from a long list of people.
He chose his words carefully.
Which shirt would you choose?
How do I choose when there's so much available?
Let everyone choose for themselves.
You can choose from among a number of alternatives.
Recent Examples on the Web
Members of the committee from both political parties criticized Underly for choosing to accept an alumni award at Indiana University instead of appearing before the committee Thursday to answer questions about student safety for the public that have arisen because of the Capital Times reporting.
—Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
While Alana was selective about her wedding look, choosing a Vivienne Westwood gown, jewelry by Dorsey and a custom gold band by Sofia Kaman.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
The Canadian actress and director chose the $31,700 Flèche hoop earrings and $14,600 pendant, styled by Jonathan Huguet in a Jacquemus look.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
The winemaking team chose to blend grapes from the terroirs of Saint Jean de Muzols, Mauves, Vion, and Tournon to make this stunning 100 percent Syrah wine.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for choose
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Molly Beck, jsonline.com, 24 Oct. 2025
While Alana was selective about her wedding look, choosing a Vivienne Westwood gown, jewelry by Dorsey and a custom gold band by Sofia Kaman.
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 23 Oct. 2025
The Canadian actress and director chose the $31,700 Flèche hoop earrings and $14,600 pendant, styled by Jonathan Huguet in a Jacquemus look.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
The winemaking team chose to blend grapes from the terroirs of Saint Jean de Muzols, Mauves, Vion, and Tournon to make this stunning 100 percent Syrah wine.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for choose
Cite this Entry
“Choose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/choose. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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